ifwla - Warehousing and Logistics International

Automation 23While traditionally picking has beenthe most labour intensive activity withina warehouse, and has seen the biggestefficiency gains through capitalinvestment in automation, other areasare emerging that can give a good ROIas automation technology becomes moreflexible and accessible. Thepacking process is one such area ripe forimprovement, especially withine-commerce operationsthe very high productivity ‘Goods to Person (GTP) stations’,which allow picking rates in excess of 800 linesper hour per operator. Both of these technologies areideally suited to single item picking and thereforeInternet retailing.While traditionally picking has been the most labourintensive activity within a warehouse, and has seen thebiggest efficiency gains through capital investment inautomation, other areas are emerging that can give agood ROI as automation technology becomes moreflexible and accessible. The packing process is onesuch area ripe for improvement, especially within e-commerce operations.Automation is also changing its profile in terms ofscale. Improved accessibility to automation means thatthe solution is no longer synonymous with large investmentand systems integration. Entry level technologiessuch as voice picking or laser guided trucks can providean almost instant win and a base from which customerscan then ramp up the level of automation overthe years as their business grows. These ‘pockets’ ofautomation, often referred to as ‘mechanisation’ canprovide specific, immediate and obvious benefits suchas a simple transport conveyor linking two processes ora standalone ASRS store for minimising the storagefootprint. It has become essential for a systems integratorto offer these less complex systems, which are moreattractive on a price point, in addition to having acapability to provide a fully integrated automated system.Dematic, for example, is well known as a large systemsintegrator but its products division, which offerscustomers simple automated solutions such as voice,conveying and pick to light, is thriving. These solutionscan be implemented without major upheaval andrequire only a relatively small investment. If you can tella customer that they will get their investment back in12 months time and then reap pure profit, they will seeopting for the automated route as less of a challenge.These solutions also present an entry level develop-www.ifwla.com Issue No 3